Dáil speaker rules on independent TDs' speaking rights

A significant ruling in the Dáil has decided that a bloc of independent politicians cannot form a technical group for the purposes of speaking rights.

The row resulted in chaotic scenes in the Dáíl (Irish Parliament) before a new government was elected last month.

It centres on an attempt by the independents - whose colleagues have ministerial positions in the new Irish government - to be treated as part of the opposition for the purpose of speaking rights in the Dáíl.

Those TDs (members of parliament) were part of the deal which secured the ministerial positions for their colleagues, and they had publicly pledged to support the government over the next five years.

The new government is led by Fianna Fáil, and Fine Gael and these two major parties have sided with the independent TDs in the row up to this point.

The support of the independent TDs could be critical to the survival of the government during its term of office.

The opposition, led by Sinn Féin, has vehemently opposed the move and this resulted in the rowdy scenes which delayed the election of Micheál Martin as taoiseach last month.

Now, in a significant ruling, the Ceann Comhairle (speaker) has decided that the TDs in the specific independent bloc, known as a regional group, cannot form a Dáil technical group for the purposes of speaking rights.

The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, whose election to the prestigious post was backed by the independent TDs, said she had reached her conclusion having carefully considered legal advice, submissions and other materials which are in the public domain.

There is a big sigh of relief in political circles here in Dublin after both the government and the independents decided not to challenge the ruling.

After the unedifying and unseemly scenes in the Dáil a couple of weeks ago, it seems the Irish government has jumped at the chance to bring this entire episode to an end.

The last thing this new government and the new Taoiseach Micheál Martin needs is for this controversy to disrupt another sitting of the Dáil on Wednesday.

The ruling was a bold move by the Ceann Comhairle. The main mover for opposition speaking rights for the group of independents was the controversial Tipperary TD Michael Lowry.

He was also the kingmaker who helped to secure government support for the appointment of Verona Murphy, a fellow independent TD, to the position of Ceann Comhairle just a few weeks ago.

Now, in one of her first very significant rulings, she has effectively ruled against him.

It is also worth noting that after helping to get ministerial posts for some of his independent colleagues, Lowry pledged to support the government in "good days and in bad". This ruling can probably be put in the bad day folder.

One thing is for sure, politicians are not the only people who want this row to end.

The Irish public has looked on askance in recent weeks as the fallout from this very technical issue in the Dáil made international headings amid chaotic and embarrassing scenes in the national parliament.

The ruling means the small group of TDs cannot contribute to Leaders' Questions in the Dáil every week.

Opposition parties hold the government to account during these questions.

The ruling has been welcomed by Sinn Féin's Pádraig Mac Lochlainn who said it was clear TDs cannot be in opposition and government at the same time.

The labour leader, Ivana Bacik, says the ruling vindicates the stance taken by opposition parties.

The Social Democrats said: "Government backbenchers cannot masquerade as members of the opposition in a cynical attempt to avail of opposition speaking rights."

The Irish government said its focus throughout this process was to ensure that every TD elected by the people could fulfil their mandate and have speaking rights in Dáil Éireann.

Government chief whip Mary Butler will hold further discussions with opposition parties ahead of the resumption of Dáil business on Wednesday.